Pope France, who has been in the hospital since February 14, experienced two episodes of acute respiratory insufficiency, caused by a significant accumulation of endobronchial mucus and consequent bronchospasm.

The crisis was a new setback in the Pope's fight to recover from a complicated respiratory infection, which has lasted more than two weeks. Pope Francis has chronic lung disease and had part of one lung removed as a young man.

Medics at Rome’s Gemelli University Hospital administer ‘mechanical ventilation’ after pontiff’s latest health setback.